Laurel Rund's inspirational writings about her Emerging Voice - musings on life. Her work is displayed on the Essence of Laurel website, including Laurel's Art from the Heart and her book Emerging Voices Living On.
This past year, my 78th, has been challenging with numerous physical ailments and constraints weighing me down, leaving me feeling vulnerable and inert. Yet, when I connect with my inner core and true essence, age becomes meaningless. The God-centered energy within me is eternal and resilient.
Instead of mourning who I was earlier in life, I embrace the ageless and healthy divine being within. It’s time to celebrate both my human and spiritual forms and meet myself where I am. This journey has taught me that my physical body is not my entirety. Each wrinkle and ache is a testament to my life, but they don’t define my spirit.
My soul remains vibrant and full of potential. This inner light, this divine spark, is my quintessence and source of strength, propelling me forward despite physical trials. Recognizing the boundless energy within me serves as my anchor and resilience, reminding me that I am whole, even when my body feels fragmented.
I choose to celebrate the harmony between my physical and spiritual forms. I am not defined by years but by the eternal presence within me. This perspective allows me to transcend struggles and embrace each day with gratitude and grace. In this space of acceptance and celebration, I am free—free to explore the depths of my being, express my true self, and live fully in the present moment.
Meeting myself where I am involves accepting my current reality without judgment. It means recognizing that every stage of life holds its own beauty and significance. By celebrating both my human and spiritual forms, I deepen my connection to myself and the divine—self-love and acceptance nurture my soul and enrich my life's journey.
Exploring the path of self-discovery is like taking a journey filled with moments of understanding and insight. Words and images act as stepping stones, helping me through uncertain times and guiding me to a better understanding of myself. Imagine these words as beacons, lighting the way. Alongside them, there are images that flutter like butterflies, carrying inspiration. They show me parts of myself I might not have noticed before, making this a bit like a special adventure within.
With each step along this path, I delve deeper into the essence of who I am. It's like unfolding a map of my own emotions and beliefs. The journey extends beyond the quest for answers; it's a continuous exploration of new questions. The words and images work together, helping me get closer to my inner self. Every step I take becomes a chance to learn and understand, creating a picture of who I am inside ... a unique divine being.
I created this drawing several years ago. It has always had something to say to me, but I wasn't ready for its message because it felt "dark." Yesterday, I sat down and really looked at the image, explored how it made me feel and allowed these questions and answers to come forth.
Your hold is tight, and I have fought your darkness throughout my life. How do I befriend you, the very thing that threatens to extinguish my flame? What lessons do you want me to learn so that you will loosen your grip? Is it about loss and fear, about being abandoned? I chose this life, so I must have wanted you to accompany me. Perhaps your grip is meant to protect me from the depths. When I die, will you journey through time alongside me, back to the stars? Will you transform into a black hole, a cosmic presence that stays with me? Are you my forever companion in the infinite universe?
As my soul contemplated these questions, a profound realization washed over it like a gentle breeze. The Grip of Darkness was not an adversary to be vanquished but a mentor, a guide through the intricate corridors of life. In its grip, my soul learned the art of tenacity, the beauty of courage, and the power of perseverance.
In choosing this life, I invited the Grip of Darkness to accompany me, understanding on a profound level that its presence is not a burden but a blessing. It becomes my shield in moments of despair, reminding me of the inherent strength and resilience that resides within my very core. I’ve learned to face my fears and insecurities, finding solace in the knowledge that even in the darkest moments, my inner light will prevail.
“Yes," my soul whispered "You embrace darkness not in an evil way, but as a guardian, a silent witness to your journey. Together you share your light, not to extinguish it, but to understand it, to illuminate the very essence of your being."
With a sigh as ancient as time itself, the Grip of Darkness responded, its voice echoing through the cosmos. "When you depart from this earthly realm, I will journey with you, back to the stars from whence you came. I shall become a black hole, a silent sentinel standing guard beside you, a companion in the infinite expanse of the universe."
The Grip of Darkness, often misunderstood, revealed itself as a teacher, a companion, and a friend. Its lessons, veiled in shadows, helped unravel the mysteries of my existence, guiding me in this final chapter of my life towards self-discovery and acceptance.
The answer lies in the eternal connection we share with the universe. The darkness becomes a part of the cosmic dance, guiding us back to the celestial realms from whence we came.
In the tapestry of life, it has become a thread, weaving through my experiences and reminding me that in the depths of darkness, my light shines the brightest.
As I approach my 78th year, I stand at the intersection of time and wisdom, where the true essence of my being lies beneath the layers of years lived, experiences gained, and memories cherished. It's a remarkable journey that deserves to be celebrated, not only for the years I've accumulated but for the woman I am.
As I walk through the twilight of my years, I wear my wrinkles and scars like badges of honor. Each line, each mark, tells a tale of a life well-lived, a journey through the seasons of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. A story that continues to unfold, a reminder that, beneath the surface, the essence of a person is a rich tapestry woven with the threads of time, of experiences, memories, and an enduring spirit.
In a world often fixated on superficial appearances, there's something profoundly beautiful about the aging process. It's a reminder that life is a masterpiece in progress. Each wrinkle and age spot is a mark of the laughter and tears that have shaped my heart and soul.
The creases around my eyes are like chapters in a book, written in the language of smiles and laughter. They speak of the friendships forged, of shared moments that now shimmer like distant stars in the night sky. And the furrows on my forehead, bear witness to the challenges faced, the lessons learned, and the strength gained through the trials of life.
Beneath my aged skin lies the music of a heart that has known both the sweet symphony of love 's embrace and the melancholy notes of goodbye. It beats in rhythm with the passing of time, a testament to resilience, endurance, and the ever-present hope for tomorrow.
The unique inner beauty which radiates from my soul deserves celebration. It's the kindness I've shown, the love I've shared, and the wisdom I've gained. It's the way I've touched the lives of others, leaving a trail of warmth and inspiration wherever I go.
My birthday suit, far from being just the physical vessel that carries me through life, is a testament to my determination and endurance. It is the canvas upon which my life's masterpiece is painted. I wear my birthday suit with pride, not just the one I was born in but the one that carries the imprints of my life's journey. I remember that I am a living testament to the beauty of resilience, the grace of aging, and the richness of my life.I celebrate the laughter that still echoes in my heart, the dreams that continue to light my path, and the love that fills my days.
Let my inner light shine brightly and may my 78th year be a celebration of the unique person I am, both inside and out. Happy birthday to my beautiful soul!
As I sit here and reflect on my life, I can't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe. It's amazing to think that we are all made of stardust, the same stuff that makes up the stars and galaxies that we see in the night sky. It's a reminder that we are all connected, not just to each other but to the entire universe.
And yet, as much as we are made of stardust, we are also much more than that. We have an essence, a unique combination of traits and qualities that make us who we are. It's this essence that makes us individuals, with our own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It's what sets us apart from each other and gives us our own unique perspective on the world.
At the same time, this essence is also what connects us to each other and to the universe. We are all part of the same cosmic dance, moving and shifting together in ways that are both beautiful and mysterious. It's a reminder that we are all in this together, and that we all play a part in the grand scheme of things.
And when our time on this earth comes to an end, we return to stardust once again. Our physical bodies may be gone, but our essence lives on in the memories of those we leave behind, and in the universe itself. It's a comforting thought, knowing that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves, and that our essence will continue on in some way, shape, or form.
"We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of Infinity. Life is Eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in Eternity.” Paulo Coelho
As I continue to reflect on my life and my place in the universe, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and wonder, am grateful for this gift of life, for the experiences I've had, and for the connections I've made with others.
I am in awe of the beauty and mystery of the universe, and the way that we are all connected to each other and to the stardust that makes up everything around us. With this is mind, I finally understand that We Are All One.
Laurel D. Rund
I am stardust, and stardust is me
A unique expression, of the cosmic dance
A trillion particles, come together as One
It radiates from me, with every breath I take
A source of energy, with light embedded
That will return to the stars and shine on for Eternity.
Students, Teachers, and Parents, sharing in a Vision of Peace
Peace is loving with a reason • Peace is living with care • Peace is healing • Peace is surrounding us with an open heart and Peace ends the violence and wars in our society.—Nikky Welch / 1999
The “Only Hearts” Art/Peace Project, inspired by 3,500 Sarasota, FL students as a millennium peace project, offers a format through which students of all ages can share their ideas and action steps towards world peace, cross-cultural harmony, and conciliation.
The original project begins with the participants painting their vision of the world they want to create inside our heart template. On the back they are asked to write about how they will achieve their goal. A next step, using their talents in the arts, sciences or humanities, students are asked to score a presentation for their school and/or their community.http://onlyhearts.org
A new component: An art-assemblage project available in 21+ languages. Participants of all ages are asked to write one word in the center of their heart project download that represents what they want to manifest for the Well-Being of themselves, family, and community. This is a process that highlights the power of personal and collective visioning. http://Love-it.today
Conceived by artist/designer Dwij David Gittens, these are educational, empowering and insightful activities that are FREE to DOWNLOAD from the Internet for use in classrooms, after-school programs, and by cultural organizations. Successfully used around the world, the President of John F. Kennedy University in Buenos Aires, Argentina wrote “We consider that the Only Hearts Art/Peace Project is of great interest and social, cultural and academic relevance and recommend it to private and public organizations both national, provincial and municipal to do the same.”
The “Only Hearts” art/peace project has been used by thousands of participants around the world; linking with others who are weaving a global matrix of peace and conciliation. “Hearts Around the World” is our vision for an ongoing exhibit that reflects this intention.
Our quest as we launch this renewed “Only Hearts” Art/Peace Project website is to reconnect with a larger audience of young peacemakers and also to meet-up with the students from our seventeen-years-ago launch, discovering how their dreams of yesterday match with how they vision the world today . . . and what they are teaching their children about peace and conciliation.
Thank you for your support and sponsorship,
dwij – David Gittens
About dwij - David Gittens
Dwij - David Gittens is a Sarasota based artist/designer who has worked on projects in many cultures. His Only Hearts Art/Peace Project, a collaborative creation that articulates the insights and visions of 3,500 Sarasota students on the topic of world peace, cross cultural harmony, and conciliation, is used by educators, students and parents around the world. The project was begun as an inspirational grassroots undertaking in 1999 for the millennium.
The links to the, FREE TO DOWNLOAD, Only Hearts Art/Peace Projects are:
As a gift to myself just before my 70th birthday, I attended the Hay House Orlando “I Can Do It” conference. For me, it was a meaningful and inspirational time, which included a poignant memorial service for Dr. Wayne Dyer who had just passed away – he was scheduled to be the opening night keynote speaker.
I have wanted to write about one particular experience I had at the conference for quite some time, but felt stuck, unable to put into words a description of my transformative soul retrieval journey led by Dr. Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D.* Dr.Villoldo explained to the audience that a soul retrieval journey is a time where one enters into a sacred space to heal the past and chart a new destiny.
After conducting some rituals with the audience, it was time for us to quiet down and go into a meditative state.With my eyes closed and in response to the guided meditation, I was led to a path in the woods, where at the entry of the path, we were told that a power animal would meet us. A large buck greeted me, and as I focused my eyes on this strong, superb animal – it suddenly morphed into a hawk who spread his wings and guided me through the woods to a clearing.
I was asked to sit down on a rock in the center of the clearing and wait. Dr.Villoldo said that a spirit would appear behind me, and to feel its presence. I slowly turned around to greet this entity. Upon turning I saw an elderly Native American woman with braids; her face glowing with kindness, crinkled, caring eyes, and a gentle smile. Her loving energy enveloped me and entered my heart. I reached over and felt compelled to trace my fingers across the wrinkles on her face and around her eyes, which felt like I was following a map of her life. The shaman asked us to walk away from the clearing with our spirit and to return home through the forest path.
But, before leaving the forest, Dr. Villoldo directed the participants on this soul retrieval journey to transmute and absorb our power animals and spirit into our beings. The hawk, the buck, and the Wise Old Woman morphed into my human form and spirit. I then left the forest and was guided back to the present moment – the soul retrieval was over. I felt peaceful, calm and wondered what did this all mean? My intuition told me that I had retrieved my “wise old woman” – my WOW as a lesson about recognizing the strength, wisdom, gentleness and grace that lies within me. It was about honoring my age.
When I returned home from the conference, there was urgency within me to create an image of what I had seen, and then to write about the experience. The soul retrieval journey was emblazoned in my head and heart, and set a tone of acceptance and joy for me as I stepped into my seventh decade with gratitude. "The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.” Robert Frost
I felt exhilarated when the recreation of what I saw during the soul retrieval journey came to life. It hangs on a wall in my house and has great meaning to me. But, each time I put pen to paper to write about the experience, I felt blocked. Somehow I knew that there was an unseen purpose for this story and that I needed to be patient until it showed itself to me.
Woman of Wisdom (WOW)
The Epiphany
One morning, at least three months after the conference, while driving my car through an area that is populated with lush moss-filled oak trees, I had an epiphany.I slowed my car down – as I always do when passing under the arch of these glorious trees – and greeted them tenderly with a “hello trees!” There is something about this particular street which has “talked to me” since I first drove through it several years ago. I never fail to purposefully slow my car down and greet the trees, taking time to be present with them and to honor their magnificence. It always leaves me with a sense of peacefulness and gratitude. It makes my heart feel good.
As I drove on, I began to think about the dichotomy between how we see trees and “see” our elders. The purpose for this piece had finally percolated up; it literally showed itself to me and my writing block was lifted!
It’s interesting how many people have come to love and honor trees. I know several devoted tree huggers. People have sat in trees for months to protect them from destruction. As they get older, trees reach across to each other and their branches touch – intertwine. They share their energy, their power and offer a place for humans to be shaded and rest under their glorious limbs. They build a community. And, there are many stories held within each tree – what it encountered as it grew into maturity.
“Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach, undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life.” Hermann Hesse
When we pass a tree that has become glorious in its old age, we look at that tree in awe as we revere its strength and beauty whether or not its bark is missing or cracked, or its branches broken off.
Here’s the epiphany - I believe we humans are very much like trees. We show our age with wrinkles, changes in our bodies and its imperfections. And yet, as we grow older we, too, have a community to build and a story to share. Our culture, however, has often stated that when people get older they are “past their prime” and become invisible. Maybe it makes some people uncomfortable with their own aging process, or maybe heartlessness has replaced caring.
There are many lessons to be shared and taught by our elders. Our society all too often disregards the journeys and stories of the aged, and places its attention on youthfulness. Yes, life is about hope, youth and building a life, but it is also about the wisdom one has gained throughout the years.
Gabriel Garci-a-Marquez, author of “Love in the Time of Cholera” said about the essence of aging:“Age has no reality except in the physical world. The essence of a human being is resistant to the passage of time. Our inner lives are eternal, which is to say that our spirits remain as youthful and vigorous as when we were in full bloom.
Being an elder, a Woman of Wisdom, a WOW, has given me a new perspective about aging. I’ve learned as I moved into my seventies that what you feel like inside your human form has nothing to do with the date of your birth. My spiritual being is ageless.
Just like my gray hair, wrinkles, aches and pains, life is filled with joy, growth, challenges, heartaches and bumps in the road. These are the things that build our character, wisdom and courage. This is how we learn and grow, and find our purpose.
Each day, year and decade should be honored. Very much like the rings within the trunk of a tree, they represent and record the events which we have experienced on this journey called life.
Today, go hug a tree and then talk with and hug an Elder. For all of us – being talked with, touched and hugged is a heartfelt and essential part of life. Experience the gift of age! "Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art." Eleanor Roosevelt
My very best, Laurel Diane Rund
Jean Houston on the Beauty of Aging with Oprah Winfrey
The Universe is giving us Another Chance for Transformation - so let us take this time to shift our inner and outer world and go beyond our current reality. This I know for sure ... we will get through today's health and financial crisis. Right now our world feels upside down, surreal and apocalyptic. My belief is that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and when we come out of the Covid-19 health crisis, the human race will be less self-centered and separated from one-another. Self isolation has created time for reflection; an appreciation for that which is less material and more meaningful - such as family, friendships and the heroes who have put their life on the front line to do good and be of service. Witnessing the kindness and courage of strangers gives me faith in our human race. There will be a new normal, and I choose to believe it will be a more connected and loving one. As Chief Seattle said: "Humankind has woven the web of life. We are one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect."
In 2009, I attended an art class and one of the assignments was to go outside to draw a real-life tree. There was a tree on the golf course behind our home which was a favorite of mine. I would sit on the lanai and watch it stand tall during all kinds of weather conditions - from sunshine to lightning storms. In my mind's eye, that was the tree I immediately knew I was going to draw when I got home.
Drawing paper and pencil in hand, I went out to get a closer view of the tree in order to draw it. My heart sunk when I couldn't find what I had come to call "my tree." Unbeknownst to me, It had been taken down and replaced with an ordinary palm tree.
This came at a time of personal loss for me, the death of my first husband. Loss comes in all kinds of shapes and the loss of that tree added more grief to my already hurting heart.
Crestfallen, but knowing I had to complete the art assignment, I searched for a photograph of the tree and proceeded to draw it from a photograph and memory. When you look the piece I created, the tree in the middle is the drawing and the photograph is on either side of the tree.
As so often happens after a piece of art is created, I felt compelled to write a poem. Thus, Strength and Glory - Elegy to a Tree was birthed.
Upon presenting the poem and artwork to my art teacher; she said this would influence and transform how she would assign a tree drawing to future students. Whether that actually is the case is not the story.....The tree is the real story – I will always honor its life, its strength and its glory. Laurel D. Rund
When I picked you from afar, I knew that you would gift me with life. With intention and purpose, I floated into your womb... absorbing your molecules and making them mine.
While tethered to you, I was cared for and fearless as you willingly provided nourishment, safety and unconditional love. I was enveloped by the sounds in the depths of your belly, and your heartbeat and mine beat together in a life-forming synchronistic rhythm.
Within the safety of your womb, I grew from a seedling into a tiny being ... swimming, kicking and moved about unabashedly.
The nine months I had with you had prepared me to meet the challenges of life, and the time of gestation was quickly coming to an end.
I tried to hold on, to resist this part of my journey, because I had a knowing that our time together on earth, outside your womb, would be cut short.
Nonetheless, you pushed me forward. Your body urged me to move into the world, like an ocean wave crashing towards the shore. As I gulped in my first breathe of air and cried out, you breathed a sigh of relief, knowing with certainty that I would survive.
And, then, you imprinted me with a sign of your love when you bestowed upon me the unique and beautiful name to which I answer. I am and always will be your Laurel Diane.
Not until the afternoon of my life have I finally come to understand the importance of the time we spent together in those first nine months. Although we had only one precious year left to be together, your loving imprint became permanently affixed to my heart.
You, my loving mother, have always helped me come full circle ... even as my guardian angel.
Laurel Diane Rund
Mother’s Day – the Vortex
“When a daughter loses a mother, the intervals between grief responses lengthen over time, but her longing never disappears. It always hovers at the edge of her awareness, prepared to surface at any time, in any place, in the least expected ways.” ―Hope Edelman, Motherless Daughters: The Legacy of Loss
Mother’s Day is a day to honor and be honored. It is also a day which I have struggled with my whole life; having lost my mother when I was 13 months of age. Some holidays, which are celebrated by most with joy and happiness, are triggers of sadness for others. Perhaps what I wrote to my mother will touch someone else’s heart who struggles with the day as I do.
“A mother’s death also means the loss of the consistent, supportive family system that once supplied her with a secure home base, she then has to develop her self-confidence and self-esteem through alternate means. Without a mother or mother-figure to guide her, a daughter also has to piece together a female self-image of her own.” ― Hope Edelman, Motherless Daughters: The Legacy of Loss
